Fixit mode....

Fixit mode...

From the time you first hold those tiny new beings in your arms, cradling them through colds, first steps, school, chicken pox, first dates, drivers Ed, college dorm,  New jobs, marriage, and beyond....they are close to your Heart and mind all the time...

We want them to make right decisions, even knowing wrong decisions teach character (hopefully). Nothing in life is wasted....we want them happy, content, learning, loving, productive, successful (whatever that means), following God, moving forward, protected, and all those things that parents desire for their children.....when what we most need to do is hold our hands open so that God works His will in their lives  and ours...

We have to balance between being an enabler, caregiver, encourager, fixer..and let God be God in their lives...being there to cheer them on or a shoulder to cry on...let them set boundaries and we set our own...

How I love each of my children. All their various personalities, their spouses, their lives. I am thrilled I got to watch them grow, to learn, to listen....I am overjoyed with their giftings, given specifically to each...to see how each is using them...for betterment to the world around them....

Thank YOU, God, for each child you have brought into my life,  what Gifts they are....

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 

Jesus calling----November 30

Problems are part of life. They are inescapable: woven into the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also distances you from Me.

Do not let fixing things be your top priority. You are ever so limited in your capacity to correct all that is wrong in the world around you. Don’t weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own. Instead, make your relationship with Me your primary concern. Talk with Me about whatever is on your mind, seeking My perspective on the situation. Rather than trying to fix everything that comes to your attention, ask Me to show you what is truly important. Remember that you are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in the Light of eternity.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
—Psalm 32:8

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
—Luke 10:41–42

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
—Philippians 3:20–21

Sounds of silence....

The sounds of silence.....

Waking up to a snowy day is like waking up to soft silence ......unless the snowplow has reached your street....or the wind is moving the snow around, resurfacing the icy white landscape.....the  paper-person is even muffled in their delivery early in the morning.....

It made me wonder if there is sound in space....so I asked ....we are accustomed to watching space explosions with all the noise and excitement, but in reality, we could see it, but not hear a thing....can you imagine an silent explosion ? ...mind boggling. ...

In one of the airports we have visited in the last few years, there is a long hallway filled with pictures taken in outer space  by one of the space probes....glorious lights and colors, undulating masses floating free..but silent...

So what does the heavens rejoicing mean???? No sounds?? On earth we have sound because we have air which picks up the vibrations for sound..

There must be sound in heaven because trumpets blow, people praise, God speaks...will we hear it with our ears , our souls, our inner most beings? Mystery....intrigue...all things become new....resurrected....redeemed...

What are those who have gone before experiencing? Silence....awakening...joy unspeakable...praise unending...color unbelievable...sights unexplainable....love unending....light without darkness....peace everlasting....

Thank YOU for the unimaginable...the awe...the wonder....even the mystery...

Exodus 15:11 Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness,awesome in glory,working wonders? 

Psalm 65:8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;where morning dawns, where evening fades,you call forth songs of joy. 

 Revelation 8:1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 

http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=8

Things that matter.....

Things that matter....

I was watching a special report about Charles Krauthammer and his book, "things that matter". A writer, a political analyst, a Pulitzer Prize winner, father, husband, baseball fan......paralyzed  since college years ....an interesting person....I do not know his religious background...

It was a reminder of some scripture I had read earlier in the week..... 

Ephesians 5:15-20 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

-be very careful how you live 

-do not be foolish

-understand what the Lord's will is

-do not get drunk with wine 

-be filled with the Spirit

-sing and make music from your heart to the Lord

-always giving thanks to God for everything 

Each of us gets to make the choice on the things that matter in our lives..it is that free will that we are given...there are times when we feel the strong pull In our beings that we should be doing certain duties, but we still have a choice...God so desires that we choose Him for eternity ....that He would matter...

On this note, a question was asked recently, " who would you rather meet, your great great grandparents or your great great grandchildren?"

My answer was my great great grandchildren...I want to see if the legacy is still being handed down, that God is still honored...does He still matter in their lives?

Thank YOU that you matter in my life...that You make yourself known daily...help me to be careful in how I live, to always be going thanks....help those that follow to choose You above all...

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Profanity....

I was raised in a home that had very little profanity...one of my grandfathers used some but not much....we raised our children with very little as well...

I can remember the first time I tried it out, about 11 years of age, riding a horse following my grandfather through hills in central California, gathering cattle.  It was one of those moments in time that was profound to me...I tried out a curse word....I felt dirty all over and that was that...a decision maker time...this was not to be part my language or part of me...

Many years have gone by since then, I can still picture the horse, the hill, the feeling.....in that time it seems that the world has gone the other way...it is nothing to hear God's  name spoken in vain wherever one goes, whatever one watches, listens to..reads...people don't curse the devil, they curse God...the one who desires above all to save them, to love them....

When I hear cursing, it feels like arrows piercing my soul, just as it did when I tried it out so many years ago...what it must do God to hear a world of it...

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 

In the Old Testament times, cursing God was not to be taken lightly...

Leviticus 24:13-16 Then the Lord said to Moses: “Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. Say to the Israelites: ‘Anyone who curses their God will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death. 

Psalm 59:12-13 For the sins of their mouths,for the words of their lips,let them be caught in their pride.For the curses and lies they utter, consume them in your wrath,consume them till they are no more.Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. 

Job 2:9-10 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. 

James 3:9-12 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 

Lord, help me with my mouth and attitude not to profane You, but give thanks instead...the lover of my soul....

 

November 25
Thank Me frequently as you journey through today. This practice makes it possible to pray without ceasing, as the apostle Paul taught. If you are serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank Me in every situation. These thankful prayers provide a solid foundation on which you can build all your other prayers. Moreover, a grateful attitude makes it easier for you to communicate with Me.
When your mind is occupied with thanking Me, you have no time for worrying or complaining. If you practice thankfulness consistently, negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker. Draw near to Me with a grateful heart, and My Presence will fill you with Joy and Peace.
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
—1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 kjv
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
—James 4:8
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Romans 15:13
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Newness....

Newness .....

Watching my second new grandchild this year, this past week has reminded me again of newness....everything for a newborn is new...from breathing air to moving limbs, to seeing light to feeling  touch...everything...everything ...crying for food, diapers, clothing, smelling, rooting for food, hugs, noises, talking, .....everything, just everything....

Can you imagine what it must have been like for Adam  and Eve?  Everything was new for them as well...the wonder of it all,..the wonder of God...the wonder of touch, feel, smells, talking, listening, the whole creation before you, yourself....they were adults and must have had a different perception than a newborn who has to learn and understand without words, or thoughts, or is it?

Now, we see new sights, new invention, new people, experience new locations, new languages, a plethora of new..are we in awe? One mildly impressed?  A new rainbow, a new day, a newly created snowflake .....am I in awe of God?

When we were foster parents, we parented children new to our household who came from a variety of backgrounds and situations...most not so good...they had to learn as did we the newness of one another, new expectations, new trust, new children...some of this was hard for all...newness again....

Marriage,children, new home, locations, friends...newness...

As a new believer, we are forever learning new attitudes, trusts, life, a new/old book-the Bible, ...putting behind us the old...learning newness from God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit...Being  aware of their life in ours...a newness that we have never experience....

Thank YOU for newness...the awe of new life, Your Word...forging forward Into the newness with YOU...everyday is new day...a new lesson...

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 

Psalm 33:3-9 Sing to him a new song;play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true;he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice;the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord;let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be;he commanded, and it stood firm. 

Lamentations 3:23-24 They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;therefore I will wait for him.” 

Acts 5:20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

Acts 8:15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 

Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. 

Ephesians 4:23-24 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

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Contribution opportunities abounding

Contribution opportunities abounding....

The mail is pouring in, asking for those end of the year, Christmas feeling donations....one after another and another...nickels in some, or even dollar bills wanting to be doubled or some kind of gift...end of the year reports telling how much they need or are in the  red...what contributions they are making to society, the Kingdom, medical conditions, the earth, wildlife and on and on...lots of good causes.....lots of free mailing stickers, notepads, Christmas cards, blankets.....

This video came across my computer...interesting....thought provoking...

http://news.therawfoodworld.com/coats-homeless-people-stirs-greater-inspiration-empowering/

We knew a man at one time who worked for various nonprofit organizations.   He interviewed these organizations before working for them to find out their philosophy, if they were only "handing out" or empowering growth as well...he envisioned lives changed with giving.....he had seen generations standing in line for for food.....

We have the opportunity to give, the help others, either locally, nationally or worldwide..it behooves us to consider where or if we give and answer all these mailings or our own local churches or communities...

There will always be a need, there will always be the poor and needy among us...there are wonderful ministries all around the world and right next door..one who use resources wisely and others not so much...ones which we can results immediately and others that are long term and we may never see anything until heaven like the song, "thank you for giving to the Lord"...

Our job is to be faithful, cheerful in giving...

Psalm 112:1-10 Praise the Lord.Blessed are those who fear the Lord,who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land;the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses,and their righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken;they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news;their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,their righteousness endures forever;their horn will be lifted high in honor. The wicked will see and be vexed,they will gnash their teeth and waste away;the longings of the wicked will come to nothing. 

Cold birds...angry birds...

Cold birds.....versus angry birds.....

It is 7 degrees as I write this....cold, cold,cold...it may get to freezing today...

I have been putting out bird feed each day and watching the  birds flock toward the feeders and the seed on the ground...some are totally polite about eating, while others  butt in and fend off any competition  as they fiendishly devour  the food..

Some of the birds, sit on the fence or in a nearby tree waiting their turn..and then they rotate in and out of the feeders..so polite, puffed up feathers like little bowling balls...or the quail trailing one another to the ground food, rarely flying, puffed up as well, always having a watch bird guarding their little group, ready to sound the "alarm", for immediate departure...

The quail also hop up and down reaching for seeds on the weeds sticking out of the  snow, pulling down the small branches to scatter the seeds on the icy ground...

 It so reminds me of the old song sung by Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins...

tuppence mary poppins, you tube....

Being at a ranch, the Hawks here dive for rodents, which is impressive to watch on a snowy day...

In the Bible, God says he cares for even the birds, supplying their food day after day...He created them and cares for their needs as well as ours ....

We can politely wait our turn or push forward, demanding our "rights" wanting more and more...

Thank YOU for the means to be able to help feed the birds in this cold time...being reminded that You care for us...help me to take my turn in life politely, not pushing away others from Your care....

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O0YtLiLqgT0

Matthew 6:26-27 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 

Memorials.....Christmas ornaments....

The last two Christmas' we have had memorial ornaments, first for my husband and then for my father..

As I was sorting through Christmas things yesterday, I came upon them, held them, contemplating...we are ready for new traditions ....so, there were also In the pile, first baby Christmas ornaments as well...as our family has enlarged by two new little cuddly men this year...Micheal James and Zane Tallin...

Neither Micheal or Zane will get to know their grandpa Don or Great grandpa Gene but they will still see part of them both through their parents...through legacies that have been handed down, memories shared..little idiosyncrasies which are still evident in various family members...they will have the choice as all do where their lives will lead them, hopefully to the foot of cross, to the paths that God has planned for them...just as each of their cousins and siblings....

We memorialize a lot, special days, special people, wars, birthdays, etc...not to forget, but to remember...

Remembered in the Holy place...
Exodus 28:29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. 

In the Old Testament, priests threw a fine flour into the fire as a memorial pleasing to the Lord...pure incense  for another...

Leviticus 6:15 The priest is to take a handful of the finest flour and some olive oil, together with all the incense on the grain offering, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 

Leviticus 24:7-9 By each stack put some pure incense as a memorial portion to represent the bread and to be a food offering presented to the Lord. This bread is to be set out before the Lord regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant. It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in the sanctuary area, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the food offerings presented to the Lord.” 

A memorial of stones to the crossing of the Jordan...
Joshua 4:7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” 

Our prayers, a memorial offering...
Acts 10:4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 

I enjoy having the reminders, the memorials, the Christmas tree ornaments "to think on these things", to remember these people, to memorialize the past and new beginnings....so special...

Thank YOU for the past, new beginnings...that you even think of our prayers as a memorial offering...YOU to be glorified...in all things...


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Language sharing....

Language sharing.....

Several years ago, my husband and I were privileged to join an English speaking group, invited to spend some time with some high school students in a foreign country to help with their English...they had had lessons since elementary school, but wanted help with their pronunciation, idioms.... 

We had a basic curriculum, black and white, few illustrations, ....basic ,  boring...it was our job to make it exciting enough to want to learn....these were students who chose to be there even on their break time, top students who were looking forward to the universities or overseas studies at some point...

We walked into their classrooms at 4 in the afternoon and stayed until 6 for 8 days... Their classrooms consisted on old desk chairs, a green chalkboard and chalk...no pictures, bulletin boards, no illustrations, ....four very bare walls...WE were their pictures, illustrations....and so we shared the curriculum, plain and simple, trying to make live and meaningful ...all the while speaking English to them and they to us....it was a most meaningful time....

Oh, and we could not  share about our faith...unless they asked...some did and some didn't ...we were there to sow seeds of kindness, brotherhood, language, smiles, hearts.....open lives...items which in the not too distant past had not been allowed....just being there was a privilege for us...a gift to all...

thank YOU for the opportunity....I don't know what eternity holds for these young people...but seeds were sown, hearts shared ....neighbors made....

John 16:25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased for God

persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

^{Rev 7:9}After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,

who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

Subject: A Debt of Love -- Immeasurably More

If you are having trouble viewing this daily devotion, please click here A Debt of Love Daily Devotional for November 15 From the Writings of Ray Stedman From your friends at www.RayStedman.org Read the Scripture: Romans 13:8-10 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 Have you ever struggled to obey the Ten Commandments? Have you found it difficult to face up to obeying these demands that you shall not murder or lie or steal or commit adultery? Well, Paul says it is really simple. All you have to do is love. Act in love toward people and you won't hurt them. The solution to all the problems we struggle with is this one thing. Have you ever thought of what would happen in this world if people could be taught how to love — and then they did it? The first result that occurs to me is that all the impending divorces would be happily resolved. Couples ready to split up because love has left their marriage could go back together and learn how to work it out. Furthermore, if we could teach people how to love we wouldn't fight in wars. Think of how much energy and money is being expended in keeping up this endless array of armaments simply because we can't trust people to love each other. If we could love each other, there wouldn't be any more crime. The streets of all the great cities of our land you would feel safe and secure. If there weren't any crime, you wouldn't need any prisons. All the money we spend on prisons and reformatories could be spent on something more useful. We wouldn't need any courts of law, or police. We need all these things because we are so deprived in this ability to love. This passage is telling us that the ability to love — that and nothing less than that — is the radical force that Jesus Christ has turned loose in this world by his resurrection. Therefore it has the power to radically change the world. Paul implies that this has to start with us. If we are Christians, if we know Jesus Christ, we have the power to love. You don't have to ask for it; you've got it. If you have Christ, you can act in love, even though you are tempted not to. Therefore, Paul says: When you come up against difficult people, remember that your first obligation is to love them. Paul says very plainly that we are to think of this as our obligation to everyone. I wonder what kind of radical things would start happening among us if we were to start living on this basis. Every day, every person we would meet, we would say to ourselves first, I need to show some love to this person. No matter what else happens, I have an obligation to pay him that debt. I have owed money to people in my life, and I have noticed that whenever I meet people I owe money to, that is the first thing that comes into my mind. I remember the debt that I owe them, and I wonder if that is what they are thinking about too. This is what Paul says we are to do about love. We are to remember that we have an obligation to every man — to love him. This obligation is to everyone. This is designed for your neighbor. Who is your neighbor? You think immediately of the people who live on each side of you, but you can see that it really includes everyone. The people you meet in business, and in your shopping are your neighbors. Wherever you are, the people you make contact with are living right beside you and are your neighbors for that moment. The word to us is that, since we have the ability to love, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. The butcher, the baker, the cadillac maker — it doesn't make any difference, they are your neighbors. Lord Jesus, come in, be my Lord. Rule in my life, and give to me this amazing ability to love. Life Application: Do we see our calling to love our neighbor as the expression of Jesus Christ's radical love? Where can we this day begin to pay off our debt of love, trusting Him to love through us? Related Message: This daily devotional was inspired by one of Ray's messages. Please read "The Night is Nearly Over" or listen to Ray for more on this portion of scripture. Devotions for November from Romans << Previous Day Next Day >> Subscribe/Unsubscribe to the Daily Devotion by Email Copyright © 2014 by Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman; compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to www.RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet.

Snow angels....

The first snow is always exciting....we smile at the sparkles, the beauty, then the work begins ...shoveling, de-icing, slow driving.....

But first, snow angels.....I have pictures of my husband and I making snow angels in our yard at our last home....laughing, enjoying the moment...grandchildren far away, so we made our own large angels .....this was a ritual we had as the children grew up, only they did it so I could take the pictures....a part of every winter, except the last....

We had bird angels as well. Where the pigeons or quail would land in the snow to search for food..their wings leaving imprints in the snow with their wings...each feather softly visible...their tiny foot prints leading away...

Snow, white, pure, watering the earth...there to enjoy, but a picture of provision and cleansing....thank YOU...

Psalm 51:7-12 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

Proverbs 31:21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 

Psalm 147:16 He spreads the snow like wooland scatters the frost like ashes. 

Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

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Kindness...

Kindness....

I had the privilege of delivering flowers yesterday to two retirement/transitional facilities.  Looking about, I wondered,is this me, in 15-20 years or sooner??

Volunteers or family feeding patients, helping them down the halls, playing cards,  watching tv, reading out loud, enjoying the sunshine, smelling the new flowers or sitting desolately alone....

Kindness comes in many forms, from cards to calls, from playing games to holding hands, from rescuing helpless animals to strolling through the park, from smiles on a dreary day to teaching crafts at a retirement home, from Samartian shoe boxes to food for the hungry, .....and on and on...

It is a trait to strive for, part of the fruit of the Spirit....against such, there is no law...it can be random, planned, or part of our nature..to be shown and shine through in this world of chaos and clutter...the simple act of kindness...

Thank YOU for Your kindness toward me...toward others....help me extend that same kindness  to those around me...

2 Samuel 9:3-7 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked.Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.David said, “Mephibosheth!”“At your service,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” 

Ezra 9:9 Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem. 

Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

http://www.coolestone.com/media/10870/Restore-Your-Faith-In-Humanity-In-4-Minutes-Flat/#.VGEs8u8g-Uk

Genesis 24:26-27 Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.” 

Veterans Day....

Flags placed on servicemen's graves...

Parades with aged and young vets walking side by side...

Hats worm proudly with significant military place names...

Signs welcoming vets home....

Military bases filled with families, communities welcoming returning soldiers, electrified with emotion...

A set of keys given to a wounded warrior for a special vehicle or home....

A flag draped coffin exiting a plane.....

Tiny children saluting as the honor guard marches by...

21 gun salutes .....

A folded flag handed over.....

Pictures of Veterans Day....veterans are found In most families ...but honoring them should be in all....

My father used to tell the story of trying the enlist....he had a heart murmur so was turned down to live another 60 plus years....he had friends who went to war, some returned and others did not....he had friends interred in the Japanese camps in the USA ....one day they were in school and the next day, they had disappeared...

When following family history, my parents found an ancestor who fought in the revolutionary war...Daniel...a veteran of long ago...

My husband's family had veterans as well, some died on the battlefield, others came home to raise families and live long lives....

All fighting causes for which we kept our freedoms that we enjoy today...or helping those in need...around the world in times of catastrophes...serving...you...me...others....thank you....

1 Samuel 17 relays the story of David facing Goliath....the small facing the large....the man of faith facing evil...

He writes...Psalm 27:1-3 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against meto devour me,it is my enemies and my foeswho will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me,my heart will not fear;though war break out against me,even then I will be confident. 

Psalm 140:1-13 Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers;protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their heartsand stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;the poison of vipers is on their lips. Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked;protect me from the violent,who devise ways to trip my feet. The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;they have spread out the cords of their netand have set traps for me along my path. I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy. Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,you shield my head in the day of battle. Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord;do not let their plans succeed. Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;may the mischief of their lips engulf them. May burning coals fall on them;may they be thrown into the fire,into miry pits, never to rise. May slanderers not be established in the land;may disaster hunt down the violent. I know that the Lord secures justice for the poorand upholds the cause of the needy. Surely the righteous will praise your name,and the upright will live in your presence. 

There are wars from that beginning to the end of the Bible..evil versus good...Satan's troops battling for their lives, countries battling over power, land, rights....the tongue battling words...over and over again and again...until God chooses to reign supreme in victorious rule...the victory is His....Revelations 19....

Thank YOU, for being my protector...for sending others to protect as well...help us give honor to those who have served, are serving and will serve...until time when You reign forever victorious...

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/11/10/veterans-day-let-thank-our-veterans-by-standing-with-their-families/

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What was I thinking.....

I have to watch my attitude....these last few years have been a lot of losses, as well as gains...friends, family, job changes, church splits, moves, medical,....with each loss, I have to choose to look for some positive...or I am drawn down to a pit of despair....

That doesn't mean that the losses don't hurt ...or are easier, just viewed from a different perspective....

There are times, I have to work at smiling, trying to to put others at ease, comforted, encouraged, loved .....in that way I am encouraged myself...getting out of my skin, so to speak...to reach out...

Other times, reaching deep and up to live in God's quiet presence...stoping the questions,the speech...just listening.....waiting, enjoying the silence at times, the peace...to return again to a busy world, refreshed...ready...

Thank YOU for the peace that passes all understanding, the quietness of Your 

Word ....

Psalm 30:1-12 I will exalt you, Lord,for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord my God, I called to you for help,and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment,but his favor lasts a lifetime;weeping may stay for the night,but rejoicing comes in the morning. When I felt secure, I said,“I will never be shaken.” Lord, when you favored me,you made my royal mountain stand firm;but when you hid your face,I was dismayed. To you, Lord, I called;to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced,if I go down to the pit?Will the dust praise you?Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;Lord, be my help.” You turned my wailing into dancing;you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.Lord my God, I will praise you forever. 

Psalm 69:15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.
Jesus calling-November 10
Focus your entire being on My living Presence. I am most assuredly with you, enveloping you in My Love and Peace. While you relax in My Presence, I am molding your mind and cleansing your heart. I am re-creating you into the one I designed you to be.
As you move from stillness into the activities of your day, do not relinquish your attentiveness to Me. If something troubles you, talk it over with Me. If you get bored with what you are doing, fill the time with prayers and praise.When someone irritates you, don’t let your thoughts linger on that person’s faults. Gently nudge your mind back to Me. Every moment is precious if you keep your focus on Me. Any day can be a good day, because My Presence permeates all time.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.
—Psalm 89:15–16
This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
—1 John 3:19–20
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
—Jude 24–25
In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
—Psalm 41:12
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